Arnett Gardens face a tricky scenario to keep their Concacaf Caribbean Cup dreams alive ahead of today’s CFU Club Shield game against AC Port of Spain of Trinidad, starting at 1:00 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago.

In their opening group stage game of the 2025 Caribbean Cup qualifying tournament on Sunday, the defending Club Shield champions registered a comfortable 4-0 win over Dublanc FC of Dominica at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

Giovanni Taylor opened the scoring in the 9th minute, before Shai Smith netted twice in quick succession in the 12th and 16th minutes before Chantamoi Taylor added a fourth in stoppage time.

Despite the victory, destiny is out of the hands of the Jamaica Premier League club, in large part due to the competition’s new format.

Although there are six clubs in the group, teams will only play two games in total and only the group winner will advance to the semi-finals. Arnett Gardens, AC Port of Spain and Martinique’s Club Franciscain all have three points but Arnett sit second in Group D with a plus four goal difference while Club Franciscain lead with a plus five goal difference after their 6-1 win over Doc’s United of Anguilla.

It means that an outright win for the West Kingston-based club over AC Port of Spain won’t automatically send them through to the last four, which will ultimately decide the two teams to advance to the Caribbean Cup.

With today’s group matches being played simultaneously, Arnett will need Club Franciscain, who play Scholars International of the Cayman Islands, to lose or draw.

If Club Franciscain win, the Philip Williams-coached Arnett will need to have a superior goal difference, likely by winning their match against Port of Spain by more than two goals.

Arnett are looking to join compatriots Cavalier FC and Mount Pleasant FA in the Caribbean Cup for the second-consecutive season.

Last year’s Club Shield format featured a straightforward knockout tournament, with Arnett progressing through each round from the round of 16 to ultimately win the title and secure qualification for the 2024 Caribbean Cup, alongside Cavalier FC and Mount Pleasant.